European Learning Network on Functional Agrobiodiversity
Since early 2009 ECNC hosts the Secretariat of this European Learning Network. The Network’s activities are guided by a Steering Group consisting of European policy makers and scientists representing the following organizations:
- European Commission DG Environment;
- European Landowners’ Organization (ELO);
- Copa-Cogeca, an umbrella organization for farmers and their cooperatives in the EU;
- Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM), the Netherlands;
- Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food, Germany;
- Ministry of Agriculture, Estonia;
- French Foundation for Research on Biodiversity (FRB), France;
- University of Lancaster, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, UK;
- Institute of Agro-Food Research and Technology (IRTA), Spain.
Aim
The ELN-FAB aims to provide a platform and facility for exchange of knowledge and practical experiences between farmers, policymakers and scientists to enable fast and effective implementation of best practices in order to help to optimize agrobiodiversity benefits and promote sustainable agriculture. The Network focuses on the 27 Member States of the EU, plus Norway and Switzerland.
Objectives
More specifically, the Network aims to:
- stimulate dialogue, influence policy making and support implementation of best practices;
- generate and exchange knowledge on best and worst practices as well as on mechanisms and practices underlying functional agrobiodiversity;
- undertake outreach activities;
- provide advice to farmers, policy makers, scientists and other stakeholders.
Time frame
The second phase of the project has a time frame of two years (2010-2011) and the secretariat of the Learning Network is active since 1 January 2009. The aim is to develop the Network into a longer lasting initiative, running well beyond 2011.
Partners
ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation (coordination)
www.ecnc.org
DIVERSITAS agroBIODIVERSITY International Project Office, Wageningen University, the Netherlands
www.diversitas-international.org
Funders
The ELN-FAB is financially supported by:
- Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM), the Netherlands;
- Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Switzerland;
- Flemish Land Agency (VLM), Belgium;
- Ministry of Agriculture, Estonia;
- European Environment Agency (EEA).
Fundraising continues in order to expand the Network in the long term.
Output
Since the secretariat is established it has made sure that the European Learning Network on Functional AgroBiodiversity functions properly in providing the different stakeholders with a means to share knowledge and experience. Key products focus on generating knowledge and communication between the stakeholders. These include:
- a multi-annual work programme for the ELN-FAB setting out the future direction and priorities;
- the ELN-FAB website, providing information on functional agrobiodiversity, examples of good practices from all over Europe, news and more;
- a register of projects throughout Europe covering the subject of functional agrobiodiversity;
- annual ELN-FAB European seminars bringing together representatives of the various target groups from several countries, and collecting and exchanging experience;
- communication and outreach activities, such as leaflets, a quarterly newsletter (see below) and presentations at events;
- a series of awareness raising workshops about FAB throughout Europe to form working partnerships;
- a handbook for FAB to help the stakeholders to strengthen the role of FAB in their operations;
- a directory of stakeholder groups on European and national levels and other possible intermediaries who could actively participate in the project.
For more information visit www.eln-fab.eu or contact the project coordinator, Veronika Mikos.
